Casper Man Admits to Sexually Abusing Child

A man could spend up to five decades in prison after admitting Friday in Natrona County District Court that a girl performed oral sex on him.

Jared Duane Gearhart, 33, pleaded guilty to one count of sexual abuse of a minor in the first degree. He now faces up to 50 years in prison.

As part of a plea agreement, the state dropped a second count of first-degree sexual abuse of a minor and two counts of incest in exchange for Gearhart's guilty plea. Gearhart entered the plea as a 'cold plea,' meaning the state may recommend Gearhart serve a 50-year prison term.

The charges were filed Feb. 7 in an amended information.

Court documents say at about 10:30 p.m. on Sept. 24, the victim -- who was born in 2004 -- told Natrona County Sheriff's Deputies that Gearhart had been sexually abusing her at his home. She said he made her perform oral sex on him on two separate occasions.

Gearhart admitted to the acts during an interview with detectives the following afternoon.

Gearhart was arrested following his interview on Sept. 25. He remains in custody on $75,000 bond.